Beyond the simple app control, many smart retractable awning setups support automation via sun, wind, temperature, light and rain sensors, letting the awning react to weather conditions automatically.
Various sensors are available from Somfy which automatically extend the awning such as when a room gets to a certain temperature with the sunlight. Again, if it is too windy the awning should close itself from the motion or wind sensor always overriding the sun or temperature sensor for safety.

With Somfy based systems, you can also schedule timed events, create scenes (for example, “evening mode” with awning and lights together) and monitor or adjust your awning remotely when away from home.

A smart controlled retractable awning is a motorised awning you can extend or retract via a smartphone or tablet app instead of (or in addition to) a remote control handset or other control accessory. Systems typically use a motor in the roller tube incorporating wireless control such as Somfy RTS or io-homecontrol, giving remote operation and the option to integrate with a wider smart home platform.

If you use your smartphone to control lights, music, blinds and other products around your home then your awning definitely needs to be included in that.
Nearly all the retractable awnings we sell from Samson Awnings are with Somfy electric motors as standard now.

You only require a simple plug and play hub to access a whole world of additional control with smart technology, such as the Somfy Tahoma Switch hub, plugged into your home router. You can then add multiple other controls and also access ‘scenarios’ to create actions at certain times of the day or night

Somfy powered electric awnings use Somfy specific motor units paired with wireless controls and a smart hub system (such as TaHoma Switch or Connectivity) so you can drive the awning from an iOS or Android app.
Download the Somfy app for free and set up your awning from there.
Once paired, you can open or close the awning, make it stop in certain positions and group it with other Somfy devices, including sensors such as thermometers. Also then create timed scenes so, for example, the awning extends automatically on summer afternoons for a period of time and then retracts.

With any automatic opening protocol you must ideally always have a wind sensor or motion sensor included so the awning will retract in bad windy weather in case you are not around to do so.